The players of Maccabi Tel Aviv invited youngsters from the area closest to the current conflict in Israel to join them on their trip to Cyprus
The Maccabi Tel Aviv squad today continued preparations for tonight's 8.30 kick-off of the second leg of their Champions League 2nd round qualifier against Andorran champions FC Santa Coloma, to be played under UEFA's orders in the Cypriot city of Larnaca. Guests of honour will be eight young people and two accompanying adults from the area closest to the current conflict in southern Israel, all of whom were invited by the team to attend the match at the players' own expense. The youngsters joined the players on the flight to Cyprus and have been enjoying VIP treatment ever since, including special MTA Championship gift packages, an organised tour of Larnaca, a trip to the local water park and a visit to the final pre-match practice. Team Captain Sheran Yeini had this to say on the matter: "We're delighted to have these kids with us and we all hope it will provide them with a bit of diversion and peace of mind, even though we know their families are back in the conflict zone in Israel. Still we hope to be able to make the trip as fun as possible". Maccabi star Eran Zahavi was also keen to say a word about the team's special guests: "This is really a wonderful initiative by the club and the players. We're all hoping they'll have a great time and that it will all be over soon so the kids can return to peace and quiet". Winger Tal Ben Haim added: "We feel privileged to have these kids from the conflict area with us, that they've been given the opportunity to get away from all that for a while. We're all hoping it will end soon so we can see the country and everyone there get back to normal lives again".
Here follows a list of the young people who joined the team in Cyprus:
1. Ariel Abramovich – 14 years old, plays on the Hapoel Merhavim U14s, lives in the community of Mevoim.
2. Mor Farage – 15 years old, plays on the Hapoel Merhavim U16s, lives on Moshav Ranen.
3. Naor Almog – 15 years old, plays on the Hapoel Merhavim U16s, lives on Moshav Ranen.
4. Ori Cohen – 11½ years old, plays at the Merhavin soccer school , lives on Moshav Patish
5. Afik Hamias – 17 years old, plays on the Hapoel Merhavim U19s, lives in the community of Mevoim.
6. Daniel Tzion – 17 years old, plays on the Hapoel Merhavim U19s, lives on Ma'ale Mevoim
7. Carmel Yona – 17 years old, plays on the Hapoel Merhavim U19s, lives on Moshav Eshbol
8. Ittimar Sfaraz – 15 years old, plays on the Hapoel Merhavim U16s, lives on Moshav Maslul.
